Electric cable clamp and protector



March 1965 P. B. MCCARTHY 3,171,889

ELECTRIC CABLE CLAMP AND PROTECTOR Filed Dec. 18, 1961 INVENTOR.

Pare/cg B McC en/r firramvey.

United States Patent ELECTRIC CABLE CLAMP AND PROTEXITGR Patrick E.McCarthy, Van Nuys, Qalih, assignor, by

direct and mesne assignments, of forty percent to Burton J. Stansbnry,Newport Beach, twenty percent to Paul F. Loveridge, Santa Ana, andtwenty percent to Ernest T. Saftig, Bakersfield, Calif., and twentypercent to Peggy Lee Mcarthy Filed Dec. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 166L082 8Claims. (Cl. 174-136) The present invention relates to subsurfaceapparatus for oil, water, sulphur, and similar well bores, and moreparticularly to electric cable apparatus adapted to be secured totubular strings disposed in the well bores and to conduct current toelectrically operated equipment associated with the tubular strings,such as electric heaters and electric motor driven pumps.

Insulated electric cables have been clamped on the exterior of tubingstrings disposed in well bores to conduct current to apparatusassociated with the tubing strings. Tightening of the clamps on thetubing string oftentimes causes excessive compression of the cable andits internal short circuiting. Such short circuiting is also caused bythe clamps imposing sharp bends on the cable at the couplings securingtubing sections together, resulting in embedding of the coupling ends orshoulders in the cable insulation. The undesirable embedding action isenhanced by reliance on the ends or shoulders of the couplings tosupport the weight of the cable. In addition to the hazard of causingshort circuiting, prior clamp arrangments employed centralizers mountedon the tubing string to protect the cable by preventing the tubingstrings from forcing the cable against the casing during running of thetubing string and cable in the latter. Otherwise, dam age to the cablecould occur. Even after the apparatus has been installed in the casing,breathing of the tubing string, resulting from operation of areciprocating pump therein, can cause the cable to be rubbed against theeasing in the absence of a centralizer.

An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for properlyclamping electric cable to a tubing string to be disposed in a Wellbore, without imposing excessive compressive forces on the cable, andwithout bending the cable around the end shoulders of the couplingssecuring tubing sections together.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for clampingelectric cables to a tubing string to be disposed in casing in a wellbore, which protects the cables in the region of the tubing couplings orcollars and prevents contact of the cable with the casing, both in theregions of the couplings and between the couplings themselves. Thus, theapparatus serves the purposes of clamping the cable to the tubing stringand protecting it against damage, without the necessity for mountingcentralizers on the tubing strings.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forclamping an electric cable to a tubing string to be disposed in casingwithin a well bore, in which any tendency for the apparatus to beshifted longitudinally of the tubing string results in its automaticallytightening on the tubing string to prevent such shifting.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an electric cableclamp and protector which can be installed rapidly and securely on thetubing string along which the cable is arranged, which is of strong andsturdy construction, well able to withstand relatively large forcesencountered in the casing, as when running the tubing string and cablecombination in the well casing, and, accordingly, possessing a long anduseful life.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly ap- 'ice parent from a consideration of aform in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will nowbe described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus embodying theinvention disposed in a well casing;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 2-2 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken along the line 3-3 onFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along the line 4-4 on FIG. 3.

As disclosed in the drawings, a tubing string A is disposed in a wellcasing B within a well bore. This tubing string may be associated with areciprocating pump (not shown) operated by a string of sucker rods (notshown) adapted to be moved in the tubing string for the purpose ofelevating well production in the latter to the top of the hole. If it isdesirable to elevate the temperature of the well production for thepurpose of reducing its viscosity and facilitating its flow into thewell bore, an electric heater (not shown) may be suitably secured to thetubing string at a desired point, current to the electric heater beingsupplied through a cable 10 having appropriate insulation 11therearound, which cable is clamped to the exterior of the tubing stringA by means of a clamp device 12., there being a clamp device located atsuitable intervals, such as at each coupling 13, along the length of theentire string of tubing. The electric cable may have any desired numberof conductors 14, 15 therein. As shown by way of example, two conductivelines 14 are embedded in the cable for supplying current to the electricheater, or other device disposed in the well bore; Whereas, two otherconductors 15 are illustrated, which may be part of a thermallyresponsive system for controlling the supply of current to the electricheater in order to maintain the temperature of the production in thewell bore within predetermined temperature limits.

The tubing string A illustrated in the drawings is internally flush andis composed of sections of a suitable length, the upper and lower endsof which are externally upset. Thus, an upper joint or section of tubing16 will have a lower threaded pin 17 threadedly connected within acoupling or collar 13. The lower portion of the coupling or collar 13 isthreadedly secured to an upper threaded pin 18 of a lower tubing section19. Thus, each joint or section of tubing will have upper and lowerthreaded pins 18, 17 threadedly secured to companion coupling members13. Disposed between each threaded pin 17, 18 and the main pipe body 20of each tubing joint is an externally tapered portion 21 or 22, thetaper extending from the threaded pin 17, 18 to the main body 20. Thus,the tapered portion 21 at the lower end of each tubing joint or sectionwill converge in an upward direction; whereas the tapered portion 22 atthe upper end of each joint or section of tubing will converge in adownward direction.

The electric cable 10 extends from the top of the well bore down alongthe tubing string A to the electric device to which it is supplyingcurrent. It is preferably clamped in a protective manner to the tubingstring at each coupling or collar 13. As shown, each clamp and protectordevice 12 includes an elongate protector strip 25 extending from anupper tubing section 16 at the upper end of its tapered portion 21,along such tapered portion, the coupling 13, and the lower 3 taperedportion 22, just beyond the end of the latter. The protector strip issubstantially semicylindrical in cross-section and has a relativelyheavy wall thickness so as to resist deformation. The radius ofcurvature of its inner wall 26- conforms substantially to the externalradius of the electric cable 11; itself, so that the outer portion ofthe cable is received within the protector strip, the opposed, innerportion of the electric cable bearing against the periphery of thecollar 13 substantially along its entire length and also bearing againstthe cylindrical pipe body portion 20 of the upper tubing joint 16 andalso the cylindrical pipe body portion 26) of the lower tubing joint 19.

The protector strip 25 includes a central portion 27 parallel to theaxis of the tubing string and extending along the entire length of thecoupling 13. This central portion merges into an upper inclined,intermediate or interconnecting portion 28 above the upper end orshoulder 29 of the coupling, and also into a lower inclined,interconnecting or intermediate portion 3% below the lower end orshoulder 31 of the coupling or collar. The upper intermediate portion 28is inclined in an upward and inward. direction along the tapered portion21 of the upper tubing joint or section 16, being integral with an upperend portion'or terminal 32 located immediately above the upper end ofthe tapered portion 21, and which is substantially parallel to the axisof the tubing string A. The lower inclined, interconnecting portion 3%is inclined in a downward and inward direction, lying along the lowertapered portion 22 of the lower tubing, section 19 and merging and beingintegral with a lower end portion 33 adjacent to the lower end of thelower tapered portion 22, and which is substantially parallel to theaxis of the tubing string A.

The longitudinal protector strip 25 is radially disposed relative to thetubing string, with its convex portion facing outwardly toward the wallof the casing B. It is clamped to the tubing string A to force theelectric cable 16' against the periphery of the tubing string joints orsections 16, 19 and the coupling 13. A clamp strap 35 is spot welded orotherwise secured to each of the upper and lower end portions 32, 33 ofthe protector strip. Each clamp strap extends around an end portion 32or 33 of the protector strip 25 and around the tubing joint 16 or 19'immediately adjacent to its tapered portion 21 or 22, the clamp strap 35being suitably tightened against the joint of tubing 16 or 19 and alsoagainst the end portion 32 or 33 of the protector strip, forcing theprotector strip inwardly and compressing the insulation 11 of the cablepartially against the periphery of the tubing joint to effect theflattened condition 36. The extent of inward compression is limited bythe engagement of opposed inwardly extending fingers 37 integral witheach end portion 32, 33 with the exterior of the tubing joint. Thefingers 37 are of such length as to engage the exterior of the tubingstring A when the cable insulation 11 is partially flattened, such asshown most clearly in FIG. 2. Further tightening of the clamp strap 35cannot deform the inner portion 36 of the cable insulation to anyfurther extent, in view of the limitations imposed by the contact of thestop fingers 37 against the periphery of the associated tubing joint.

Boththe upper and the lower clamp straps 35 are appropriately tightenedto the extent that the upper and lower fingers 37 engage the'upper andlower tubing joints or sections 16, 19. The cable is not only flattenedto the controlled extent against the upper and lower joints, asdisclosed in FIG. 2, but the central portion 27 of the protector stripwill also be shifted inwardly toward the coupling 13, so that the lengthof the cable along the coupling is also flattened to a controlledextent, which, for example, may be of the same extent that the cableinsulation is flattened in the regions 36 of the end portions 32, 33.Such flattening of the cable insulation securely clamps the cable 10between the protector strip 25, on the one hand, and the upper and lowertubing joints 16, 19 and the intervening coupling 13, on the other hand,preventing longitudinal movement of the cable along, the tubing stringA. The mode of clamping the electric cable 19 to the tubing stringprovides a large area of frictional engagement between the electriccable and the tubing string itself, and also between the electric cableand the protector strip 25, which is capable of supporting the weight ofthe electric cable between couplings 13 with a very high factor ofsafety.

Any suitable mechanism for clamping the straps 35 around the tubingjoints can be used. As shown, one end 40 of the strap extends through asupport or housing 41 to which it is suitably secured, as by spotwelding. The other end portion 4 2 of the strap is inserted through thissame housing portion 41 in overlapping relation to the other end it) ofthe strap. The lastnientioned portion of the clamp strap has a pluralityof teeth or grooves 43 therein adapted to mesh with the threads of ascrew 44 suitably rotatably mounted in the housing 41. The screw has anexternal thumb piece as attached thereto. By rotating the thumb piece,the screw 44, because of its meshing with the teeth 43 on the clampstrap, will move the toothed portion 42 of the strap along and intofurther overlapping relation to the other fixed end portion it of thestrap, thereby effecting a shortening of the strap and its secure andfirm tightening around a tubing joint, forcing the protector strip 25inwardly to the extent limited by engagement of its fingers .37 with theperiphery of the tubing joint. The pitch of the threaded screw 44 issuch that it is self-locking and will not inadvertently turn to effectloosening of the clamp strap 35.

The tubing string A is run in the well casing B with the cable 10disposed therealong. The cable is clamped to the tubing string,preferably at each coupling 13, in the manner illustrated in thedrawings, insuring a controlled compression and frictional holding ofeach cable to the tubing joints 15, 19 and the coupling collars 13without there being any abrupt bends imposed on the cable, as is evidentfrom FIGS. 1 and 3. The upper and lower ends or shoulders 29, 31 of. thecoupling 13 cannot embed themselves in the cable 11 since the latter isnot abruptly forced around such shoulders and against the adjacentexterior of the tubing. Instead, the inclined, interconnecting orintermediate portions 28, 30 of the protector strap or strip deflect thecable at a relatively shallow angle toward the tubing A, from which isruns along the main cylindrical body 20 of the tubing parallel to itsaxis. The relatively steep inclination of the interconnecting orintermediate portions 28, 30 causes them to function as a protectiveguide in moving the cable through any restrictions, obstructions orbends encountered in the well casing B. The lower intermediate portion3th, for example, will deflect the tubing string, so that the protectordevice and the tubing string itself can move past any obstructions, orthe like, encountered in the well casing. Any such obstructions orrestrictions cannot shift the protector strip 25 upwardly along thetubing string, since any tendency for the strip and the lower clamp 35to shift upwardly will cause the lower clamp to move upwardly along thetapered portion 22 of its associated tubing joint, which will furtherautomatically increase the clamping force exerted by this clamp strap 35against the tubing string, preventing upward movement of thelongitudinal protector strip 25. Similarly, any tendency of the upperclamp strap 35 to shift downwardly, as might result through theengagement of the upper portion 32 of the protector strip with arestriction or obstruction in the well casing during upward movement ofthe tubing string in the casing, will result in the upper clamp striptending to move down along the downwardly diverging tapered portion 21of its associated tubing joint 16, which will further increase theclamping force of the strap 35 on the tubing joint and preclude itsdownward movement, as well as the downward movement of the longitudinalprotector strip to which it is secured. Thus, it is apparent that theclamp force of the clamp straps 35 against the tubing A is automaticallyincreased in the event relative movement in either direction between thestraps and tubing string tends to occur, precluding longitudinalshifting of the protector strip 25 along the tubing string. The entireclamp apparatus 12 remains in the position on the tubing string A towhich it has been secured, the upper and lower intermediate portions 28,of the protector strip 25 serving as guides to cause appropriate lateralshifting of the tubing string in the well casing to insure that thetubing string is not caused to hang up on obstructions, or the like, inthe casing during its lowering in the latter, as well as during itsupward movement in the latter.

The longitudinal protector strips 25 not only protect the cable 10 inthe region of the couplings 13, but also between the couplings, inasmuchas the cable 10 is maintained snugly against the intervening cylindricalbody portion 20 of the tubing string by the clamp devices 12 themselves.The central portions 27 of each protector strip extend outwardly beyondthe coupling or collar 13 to a sufiicient extent as to engage the wallof the well casing, and prevent the intervening part of the electriccable from coming in contact with the wall of the well casing B. Thus,the assemblage of electric cable clamp and protector devices 12 mountedon tubing string A serves to protect the entire length of the electriccable 10 mounted on the tubing string.

Because of the clamp devices 12, and their guiding and protectingfunctions with respect to the electric cable 10, it is not necessary touse separate centralizers on the tubing, which has heretofore had thepurpose of preventing the cable from engaging the wall of the casing andbeing damaged thereby. The clamp apparatus 12 provides all of theprotection that is necessary.

Each clamp device 12 can be installed in a rapid manner merely byplacing the straps around the upper and lower joints 16, 19 of tubing,inserting the free ends 42 of the straps 35 into their associatedhousing 41 in overlapping relation with the other end portions of thestraps, and then by turning the thumb screws 44, in the properdirection. If desired, a suitable tool (not shown) can be connected tothe thumb elements 45 to secure enough turning force on the screws 44for the purpose of securely tightening the straps 35 on the tubingjoints closely adjacent to their tapered portions 21, 22.

It is, accordingly, apparent that an electric cable clamp and protectorapparatus 12 has been provided, which prevents shorting of the cable 10,in view of the limitation on the degree of compressive force than can beapplied to the cable as the clamps 35 are tightened on the tubingstring. The cable is not subjected to any embedding action of the endsor shoulder 29, 31 of a coupling 13 in the insulation 11, which couldalso cause a shorting of the conductive members 14, 15 within the cable.The controlled deformation of the cable insulation 11 against theexterior of the tubing joints 16, 19 and of the coupling collars 13insures the presence of a large friction holding force capable ofsupporting the weight of the cable 10 and preventing its slipping alongthe tubing string A. Any tendency for any clamp apparatus 12 to shiftlongitudinally on the tubing string automatically efiects its tighteningto prevent such shifting. The apparatus is capable of supporting largeloads and of withstanding substantial forces in a safe manner whilerunning the tubing string A and cable apparatus in the well casing, orelevating it therewithin. The parts of the apparatus 12 are of strongand sturdy construction, and possessed of a long and useful life.

I claim:

1. In combination: a tubing string adapted to be dis posed in a wellbore and including tubing sections connected together by coupling means;an electric cable ex tending along said tubing string; a longitudinalprotector strip in which the cable is disposed and having a centralportion extending along said coupling means, upper and lower elongateend portions spaced substantially longitudinally from the upper andlower ends, respectively, of said coupling means, and upper and lowerintermediate portions interconnecting said central portion and saidupper and lower end portions, respectively, said upper intermediateportion being inclined at a shallow angle in an upward and inwarddirection toward said upper end portion and said lower intermediateportion being inclined in a downward and inward direction toward saidlower end portion; and means securing said upper and lower end portionsto tubing sections above and below said coupling means to compress saidcable against said tubing sections and coupling means without abruptlybending said cable around the upper and lower ends of said couplingmeans.

2. In combination: a tubing string adapted to be disposed in a well boreand including tubing sections connected together by coupling means; anelectric cable extending along said tubing string; a longitudinalprotector strip in which the cable is disposed and having a centralportion extending along said coupling means, upper and lower endportions spaced substantially longitudinally from the upper and lowerends, respectively, of said coupling means, and upper and lower elongateintermediate portions interconnecting said central portion and saidupper and lower end portions, respectively, said upper intermediateportion being inclined at a shallow angle in an upward and inwarddirection toward said upper end portion and said lower intermediateportion being inclined at a shallow angle in a downward and inwarddirection toward said lower end portion; and upper and lower strap meansspaced from said coupling means and secured to said upper and lower endportions and extending around and tightened against upper and lowertubing sections above and below said coupling means to compress saidcable against said tubing sections and coupling means without abruptlybending said cable around the upper and lower ends of said couplingmeans.

3. In combination: a tubing string adapted to be disposed in a well boreand including tubing sections connected together by coupling means; anelectric cable extending along said tubing string; a longitudinalprotector strip in which the cable is disposed and having a centralportion extending along said coupling means, upper and lower endportions spaced substantially longitudinally from the upper and lowerends, respectively, of said coupling means, and upper and lower elongateintermediate portions interconnecting said central portion and saidupper and lower end portions, respectively, said upper intermediateportion being inclined at -a shallow angle in an upward and inwarddirection toward said upper end portion and said lower intermediateportion being inclined at a shallow angle in a downward and inwarddirection toward said lower end portion; means spaced from said couplingmeans securing said upper and lower end portions to tubing sectionsabove and below said coupling means to compress said cable against saidtubing sections and coupling means without abruptly bending said cablearound the upper and lower ends of said coupling means; and means onsaid upper and lower end portions engageable with said tubing sectionsto limit the extent of compression of said cable against said tubingsections.

4. In combination: a tubing string adapted to be disposed in a well boreand including tubing sections connected together by coupling means; anelectric cable extending along said tubing string; a longitudinalprotector strip in which the cable is disposed and having a centralportion extending along said coupling means, upper and lower endportions spaced substantially longitudinally from the upper and lowerends, respectively, of said coupling means, and upper and lower elongateintermediate portions interconnecting said central portion and saidupper and lower end portions, respectively, said upper intermediateportion being inclined at a shallow angle in an upward and inwarddirection toward said upper end portion and said lower intermediateportion being inclined at a shallow angle in a downward and inwarddirection toward said lower end portion; upper and lower strap meansspaced from said coupling means and secured to said upper and lower endportions and extending around and tightened against upper and lowertubing sections above and below said coupling means to compress saidcable against said tubing sections and coupling means without abruptlybending said cable around the upper and lower ends of said couplingmeans; and means on said upper and lower end portions engageable withsaid tubing sections to limit the extent of compression of said cableagainst said tubing sections.

5. In combination: a tubing string adapted to be disposed in a well boreand including tubing sections connected together by coupling means, saidtubing sections having tapered portions adjacent to said coupling meansand tapering longitudinally away from said coupling means; an electriccable extending along said tubing sections; a longitudinal protectorstrip in which the cable is disposed and having a central portionextending along said coupling means, upper and lower end portions spacedsubstantially longitudinally from the upper and lower ends,respectively, of said coupling means, and upper and lower elongateintermediate portions interconnecting said central portion and saidupper and lower end portions, respectively, said upper intermediateportion being inclined at a shallow angle in an upward and inwarddirection toward said upper end portion and said lower intermediateportion being inclined at a shallow angle in a downward and inwarddirection toward said lower end portion; and meansspaced from saidcoupling means securing said upper and lower end portions to tubingsections above and below said coupling means adjacent to said taperedportions to compress said cable against said tubing sections andcoupling means without abruptly bending said cable around the upper andlower ends of said coupling means; movement of said securing meanslongitudinally along said tapered portions more firmly securing saidsecuring means and end portions to said tubing sections.

6. In combination: a tubing string adapted to be dis posed in a wellbore and including tubing sections connected together by coupling means,said tubing sections having tapered portions adjacent to said couplingmeans and tapering longitudinally away from said coupling means; anelectric cable extending along said tubing sections; a longitudinalprotector strip in which the cable is disposed and having a centralportion extending along said coupling means, upper and lower endportions spaced substantially longitudinally from the upper and lowerends, respectively, ot said coupling means, and upper and lower elongateintermediate portions interconnecting said central portion and saidupper and lower end portions, respectively, said upper intermediateportion being inclined at a shallow angle in an upward and inwarddirection toward said upper end portion and said lower intermediateportion being inclined at a shallow angle in a downward and inwarddirection toward said lower end portion; and upper and lower strap meansspaced from said coupling means and secured to said upper and lower endportions and extending around and tightened against upper and lowertubing sections above and below said coupling means adjacent to saidtapered portions to compress said cable against said tubing sections andcoupling means Without abruptly bending said cable around the upper andlower ends of said coupling means; movement of said upper and lowerstrap means along said tapered portions and toward said coupling meansmore firmly said cable against said tubing sections and coupling means 7securing said strap means and end portions to said tubing sections.

, 7. In combination: a tubing string adapted to be disposed in a wellbore and including tubing sections con,- nected together by couplingmeans, said tubing sections having tapered portionsfadjacent to saidcoupling means and tapering longitudinally away from said couplingmeans; an electric cable extending along said tubing sections; alongitudinal protector strip in which the cable is disposed and having acentral portion extending along said coupling means, upper and lower endportions spaced substantially longitudinally from the upper and lowerends, respectively, of said coupling means, and upper and lower elongateintermediate portions interconnecting said central portion and saidupper and lower end portions, respectively, said upper intermediateportion being inclined at a shallow angle in an upward and inwarddirection toward said upper end portion and said lower intermediateportion being inclined at a shallow angle in a downward and inwarddirectiontoward said lower end portion; means spaced from said couplingmeans securing said upper and lower end portions and tubing sectionsabove and below said coupling means adjacent to said tapered portions tocompress said cable against said tubing sections and coupling meanswithout abruptly bending said cable around the upper and lower ends ofsaid coupling means; movement of said securing means longitudinallyalong said tapered portions more firmly securing said securing means andend portions to said tubing sections; and means on said upper and lowerend portions engageable with said tubing sections to limit the extent ofcompression of said cable against said tubing sections.

8. In combination: a tubing string adapted to be disposed in a well boreand including tubing sections connected together by coupling means, saidtubing sections having tapered portions adjacent to said coupling meansand tapering longitudinally away from said coupling means; an electriccable extending along said tubing sections; a longitudinal protectorstrip in which the cable is disposed and having a central portionextending along said coupling means, upper and lower end portions spacedsubstantially longitudinally from the upper and lower ends,respectively, of said coupling means, and upper and lower elongateintermediate portions interconnecting said central portion and saidupper and lower end portions, respectively, said upper intermediateportion being inclined at a shallow angle in an upward and inwarddirection toward said upper end portion and said lower intermediateportion being inclined at a shallow angle in a downward and inwarddirection toward said lower end portion; upper and lower strap meansspaced from said coupling means and secured to said upper and lower endportions and extending around and tightened against upper and lowertubing sections above and below said coupling means adjacent to saidtapered portions to compress without abruptly bending said. cable aroundthe upper and lower ends of said coupling means, movement of said upperand lower strap means along said tapered portions and toward saidcoupling means more firmly securing said strap means and end' portionsto said tubing sections; and means on said upper and lower end portionsengageable with said tubing sections to limit the extent of compressionof said cable against said tubing sections.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,383,777 7/21Stephens 174136 X 2,858,093 10/58 Knoll 174-136 X 3,007,534 11/61Salnikov et al 174-l04 3,048,358 8/62 Raulins et'al 174136 X DARRELL L.CLAY, Primary Examiner.

JOHN P. WILDMAN, E. JAMES SAX, Exaliziners.

1. IN COMBINATION: A TUBING STRING ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED IN A WELL BOREAND INCLUDING TUBING SECTIONS CONNECTED TOGETHER BY COUPLING MEANS; ANELECTRIC CABLE EXTENDING ALONG SAID TUBING STRING; A LONGITUDINALPROTECTOR STRIP IN WHICH THE CABLE IS DISPOSED AND HAVING A CENTRALPORTION EXTENDING ALONG SAID COUPLING MEANS, UPPER AND LOWER ELONGATEDEND PORTIONS SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY LONGITUDINALLY FROM THE UPPER ANDLOWER ENDS, RESPECTIVELY, OF SAID COUPLING MEANS, AND UPPER AND LOWEREINTERMEDIATE PORTIONS INTERCONNECTING SAID CENTRAL PORTION AND SAIDUPPER AND LOWER END PORTIONS, RESPECTIVELY, SAID UPPER INTERMEDIATEPORTION BEING INCLINED AT A SHALLOW ANGLE IN AN UPWARD AND INWARDDIRECTION TOWARD SAID UPPER END PORTION AND SAID LOWER INTERMEDIATEPORTION BEING INCLINED IN A DOWNWARD AND INWARD DIRECTION TOWARD SAIDLOWER END PORTION; AND MEANS SECURING SAID UPPER AND LOWER END PORTIONSTO TUBING SECTIONS ABOVE AND BELOW SAID COUPLING MEANS TO COMPRESS SAIDCABLE AGAINST SAID TUBING SECTIONS AND TO COUPLING MEANS WITHOUTABRUPTLY BENDING SAID CABLE AROUND THE UPPER AND LOWER ENDS OF SAIDCOUPLING MEANS.